Whether it is Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store, you need to have an icon that is able to stand out from the crowd.

You should never complicate the icon of your app with words.

5- Boring App Description

A boring app description is a common app store optimization mistake.

App description plays a very important role in higher ranking in an app store.

How should you write the description for your app?

Your description should target the customer base of your app. However, you should not forget strategically using relevant keywords in the description.

Be it Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store, app descriptions work as call-to-action buttons. So, you should make sure that the app description should convey clearly the benefits it offers. Only then, people will feel compelled to download it.

The first 3-4 lines matter a lot. Make sure you write the beginning of the introduction catchy enough to hold the attention of visitors.

If you update your app, you should edit the description to reflect the update.

Here is how Candy Crush Saga has made the introduction of the description catchy for Apple’s App Store.

6- Not Using Screenshots

You must avoid this app store optimization mistake.

Like icons, screenshots & videos do not play a direct role in the ranking of your app in an app store. But awesome screenshots encourage people to download your app. The more downloads your app has, the better it will have a ranking in app store eventually.

Though you can upload up to 8 screenshots for an Android app and up to 5 screenshots for an iOS, only 2-3 screenshots will appear in page load or the gallery.

You should make sure that these screen shots are good enough to convey the benefits of your app.

It is advisable that you should do A/B testing to find out the most effective screenshots for your app.

Here is how Temple Run has used its screenshots in Apple’s App Store.

7- Failing to Encourage Ratings & reviews

The more positive reviews and rating you app has, the better ranking it will get in an app store.

Rating and reviews are one of the highest determinants of rank in app stores.

You can use intelligent rating/review prompt to increase the rating/reviews of your app.

8- Not Promoting Downloads

You have created an awesome app, and you have uploaded high-quality screenshots. Do you think that people will download your app like anything?

My friend, they will not download your app unless you push them a bit.

How can you promote downloading of your app?

Here are a few tips:

You should use search networks to promote downloads

Employ display networks to create awareness that will promote downloads

Never forget the power of social media when it comes to promoting downloads

Remember, all the successful apps needed an initial push. You should plan an effective app promotion marketing strategy.

9- Not Updating Frequently

Mobile app users are always in the search of apps that are frequently updated based on customers’ feedback. Still, people commit this app store optimization mistake.

If you do not update your app frequently, people will think that you do not care for the app. On the other hand, frequently updated apps garner more positive reviews and rating.

What should be the update frequency?

Ideally, you should update your app between 30-40 days.

Also, you should encourage people to download updates as well.

Having a good number of five-star reviews is helpful in convincing people to download your app updates as people check reviews and rating before downloading any app update.

10- Not localizing App Listing

When it comes to mobile app marketing, you must consider localizing app listing.

A good thing is,

Both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store allow businessmen to localize their listings so as to offer easy readability and discoverability for customers in different countries.

For example, if you want to target the Chinese audience, you should think about localizing listing in the Chinese language. This will boost both the adoption and conversion.

11- Ignoring Outside Traffic and Promotion

This is a very common app store optimization mistake. Businesses completely ignore outside traffic and promotion.

If you want to make your app popular, you should never ignore outside traffic and promotion.

It is quite simple. The more traffic your app listing has, the better it will rank in search results. So, you should try to find ways to drive traffic to your app listing, whether it is on Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.

Building a strong online presence around your app through content, social media, press, reviews, and paid marketing can drive traffic to your app listing.

This is where your SEO knowledge plays a deciding role. Follow the best SEO practices to drive traffic to your app listing.

Conclusion:

Regardless of your niche, there is a fierce competition to rank higher on an app store. You must avoid these common app store optimization mistakes if you want your app to have a higher ranking.

Do you want to draw our attention to any other app store optimization mistake? Do share it in the comment section. I would love to hear about it.